Real People Are Really Different

It feels like no matter what happens in life, good or bad, we are rarely if ever prepared for the change it brings. No amount of planning or anticipation seems to prevent us from being thrown for a loop. People all over the world are struggling in a million different ways, whether it be an internal battle, tragic surprises, or relational difficulties one thing remains the same; we are all real people living in a real world. It is so easy to think that if we just had someone else's life, pocket book, or body that everything would be perfect. Perhaps, some things might be easier but every change comes with its own set of unexpected problems.

The majority of people today try to mask reality by trying to live through someone else or pacifying it with another beer, spending spree, or hit. Unfortunately, for us the problems we face will still manifest themselves once we have come off the high, tried on our new wardrobe, or sobered up. The most difficult thing for me to accept is that health officials, government entities, and social specialists seem to think that if we all did the same things and lived the same way all of our problems would be solved. In other words if we would all just fit this mold of "perfection" we could and would lead a "perfect" existence. The biggest problem with that is it is impossible for me to squeeze into a role I was not born to fill and vice versa.

After a great deal of contemplation I have come to the conclusion that there is not one right answer for any one situation or any one person. We are all equally accountable for the choices that we make and how we will respond to the various challenges in our lifetime. Each thing we do, person we meet, and hardship we face molds us into who we are. To say that the same action will have the same result for every person is also to suggest that this can occur despite a complete difference in experiences. Accepting that we are and always will be unique seems to be exceptionally difficult especially among those is high social positions. Ironically those same people who judge and ridicule those of us who don't "fit" would never be satisfied if we did.

If we all had the same standing how would they be able to claim some sort of "status" that separates them from the rest? A great deal of importance seems to be placed on an elevation of social popularity, financial wealth, and status. Being successful is not necessarily measured based upon how adequate and accomplished one is in their life but on how much popularity and wealth that position affords them. This begs the question, if a man drives a garbage truck for his entire life and does it well, is a good father, husband, and friend is he truly less successful than the presidents of the United States? Most would suggest that he is in fact less successful because he did not reach beyond some city job, is not wealthy, and is not known or respected among the community.

I guarantee that if he and every other garbage man were to stop doing their jobs it wouldn't take long before they would become pretty important, even to the president (I doubt he wants to take a visit to the landfill). Perhaps, if we learned as people to gauge our success on our own callings, talents, and goals we would not live such a miserable competitive existence. I understand and acknowledge that competition can be healthy and drive us to reach new heights, but at the same time there is a very unhealthy expectation that if one just works hard enough he/she can be exactly the same as someone else. I could get all the plastic surgery in the world, lose 100 pounds and get extensions put in my legs but I could never be Angelina Jolie. We are real people who are real different and whether we like it or not we have no choice but to share this world.

It is easy to say if we all just embraced our individuality everything would be perfect, but it is just as hard for me to be happy with myself as it is for you. Just when I think I can do something well another person comes along who blows me out of the water. Perhaps the goal is not to ignore the talents of others but to avoid a comparison that leaves you feeling less than worthy. In this blog I will be discussing various situations around the world and even some personal experiences with relation to the lives and experiences of real people. My goal here is to examine the cruelty, bravery, love, relationships, and spirituality of all people.